Home > Newsletter > No. 32 > In Memoriam

In Memoriam

Prof. Marie-Nicole Turot, Prof. Claudette Kuffer, Prof. Jacques Habert, Elizabeth (Bertol) Moon ('44), Gisèle (Van Berchem) de Marignac ('44), Dr. Marianne Schwob Ferrara ('50), Michel Berthier ('50), Francis Progneaux ('51), Alec Wildenstein ('57), Umberto Plaja ('59), Patrick Desplanque ('64), Lynn (Johnson) Goulandris ('66), Jody (Johnson) Rutherfurd) ('68), François d’Anethan ('72), Laurence (Loewy) Hagerman ('72), Jamie (Stanforth) Shoemaker ('72), Sharon Lissauer ('76), Philip Siegel ('80), Marc Meltzer ('88), Patrick Karorero ('07)



(Click on "related links--Archives" below for a full list of Lycee alumni and staff who are deceased, to our knowledge


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● From Jean-Christophe Turot ('78): "Je suis triste de devoir vous informer du décès, le 26 juillet 2012, de ma mère, Marie-Nicole Turot qui avait été brièvement professeur d'espagnol au Lycée de 1974 à 1975. Elle avait toujours gardé un bon souvenir de ces années d'enseignement."


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● From Laurence Kuffer ('70): "Je voulais vous informer que ma mère
Claudette Kuffer [Prof. de 7eme à 10eme, 1961-1965] est décédée le jeudi 12 janvier 2012."


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● "C’est avec une immense tristesse que j’ai appris hier le décès de mon ancien collègue et ami, le sénateur honoraire Jacques Habert [Prof. d’histoire et surveillant général, 1946-1953), à l’âge de 92 ans. Officier engagé volontaire dans l’aviation pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale, ancien résistant, historien érudit, militant et défenseur infatigable de notre présence française et de notre rayonnement culturel et éducatif à l’étranger, il s’est éteint dans la nuit de lundi à mardi, le 7 août, 2012.....Elu des Français des Etats-Unis en 1954, membre de l’UFE depuis 1959, il devint sénateur en 1969.....Nous sommes nombreux à avoir apprécié sa fougue, sa combativité, son talent oratoire et son investissement au service des causes chères aux Français de l’étranger, et en particulier celle de l’enseignement.Docteur ès lettres de l’Université de Paris et titulaire d’une maîtrise en sciences politiques de l’Université de Columbia, Jacques Habert devint Professeur au Lycée français de New York en 1947. Il fut également Directeur du journal France-Amérique pendant 18 ans......"
(for more, see http://www.joellegarriaud.com/2012/08/deces-senateur-honoraire-jacques-habert/ or click on link below)


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● "Elisabeth (Bertol) Moon (’44), 81, of Rio Rancho, NM passed away on May 8, 2008, from cancer. Elisabeth leaves behind her son, John M. Moon, also of Rio Rancho, NM; a sister, Hermione (MiMi) Bertol Mercer; a brother, Roland Bertol; a niece, Michelle Mercer; and nephew, Mark Mercer. Elisabeth Bertol grew up in Manhattan, NY. She attended Hunter College in NY. She married John R. Moon and lived in Schenectady, NY where she worked as Deputy Supervisor of Niskayuna and later as Administrative Assistant for State Senator Farley. She was deeply involved in politics and ran for local office. Upon retiring, Bette and John moved to New Mexico where she continued to be engaged in work with the Republican Party. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed visiting the natural wonders of NM. She took daily walks in the Bosque until her health deteriorated. Bette was a strong, persevering woman who enjoyed her social life and many friends, continuing on as long as was possible with her busy routine ....."
(http://obits.abqjournal.com/obits/2008/05/14)

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● Philippe Velay (’68) nous écrit: "L'une des plus anciennes élèves s'est éteinte. Gisèle (Van Berchem) de Marignac ('44), est décédée le 21 septembre, 2012 à Crans, près de Genève, Suisse. Ses enfants ont conservé ses écrits. En juin 1940, alors que l'Europe est déjà en pleine guerre, Gisèle part avec sa famille sur l'un des rares bateaux, le Washington, et débarque à New York. En septembre 1941, elle entre au Lycée français; elle a seize ans. "Moi qui venais de l'école secondaire de jeunes filles ….., je me retrouvais dans une école mixte où se côtoyaient toutes les nationalités fuyant l'Europe en guerre. Il y avait entre autres le petit-fils de Maurice Barrès,....le petit-fils de Venizelos,.... toute la famille Pitoëff...." L'une de ses camarades de classe était Dorrance Velay ('44), ma tante. Gisèle évoque son professeur de français, Madame David, à la taille imposante ainsi que Pierre Brodin le directeur. Elle se souvenait aussi d'une conférence de Saint-Exupéry sur la soif dont les détails l'avaient impressionnée. En l'été 1942, la famille van Berchem décida de retourner en Suisse, ce qui éberlua tout le monde ! Gisèle van Berchem, épouse de Marignac, fut une dame de grande qualité, à la personnalité affirmée. En dehors de ses occupations familiales nombreuses, elle fit partie, durant de longues années, de l'équipe du célèbre musée Ariana à Genève, spécialisé dans la céramique et le verre. Elle contribua, dans une large mesure, à l'étude, à la classification des collections et aida, par son précieux mécénat, à la rénovation d'une salle complète de ce musée avant sa réouverture au public en 1993."


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Dr. Marianne F. Schwob-Ferrara (’50) "of Highland Village, Texas passed away on April 20, 2012 surrounded by her family after a struggle with cancer. Marianne was born in Paris, France April 6, 1933. In 1943, she escaped from France with her mother and siblings to Algeria, where they spent the rest of World War II. Marianne came to the U.S. in 1946 with her family to attend high school. Later she attended Bryn Mawr College and graduated in 1952. She graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1956 and became a member of the Naval Army Medical Reserve Unit in Taiwan.
In Taiwan, she brought medicine to area that had never seen a physician before. She came back to the US in 1962. She practiced pediatric oncology at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and cured many children with leukemia. While at Roosevelt Hospital, she also chaired the hospital’s child abuse committee. She was board certified in pediatrics, hematology, and oncology.
In 1978, she joined Bristol Myers eventually becoming one of its first female senior executives and was twice recognized as a Bristol Myers International Group Best. She retired to Texas in 1994 to be closer to her children and grandchildren. After settling in the Dallas area she became an active member of St. Philips the Apostle church where she regularly lectured and taught scripture to the RCIA group. She was also active in the Chamber Symphony of the Metrocrest and was a board member for several years. Marianne is survived by five sons: Joseph, Philippe, Charles, Kenneth and Kendrew. Marianne is also survived by her sister Janine Schwob [LFNY class of ‘54], brother Daniel Schwob [LFNY class of ‘56], and seven grandchildren."
(http://www.mulkeymasonlewisville.com/fh/print.cfm?type=obituary&o_id=1462212&fh_id=12284)

Her brother Daniel Schwob ('56) wrote to us and added: “I would like to add some information that was omitted from the obituary. After graduating from Harvard she was accepted at Bellevue hospital where she became an intern, then resident and finally chief resident of pediatrics. She married in 1960 after which she went to Formosa with her husband Dr. Joseph Ferrara who was sent there for his military service as a Doctor. They stayed in Formosa for about three years. When they came back to the States, she started working at the Roosevelt Hospital.”

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Michel Henri Berthier ('50): "Born August 28, 1932, deceased November 23, 2010. Survived by Denise Berthier of Bronxville, NY, Catherine Berthier of Glen Ridge, NJ and Patricia Chappell of Cambridge, MA. International corporate lawyer with IBM, AMC and GTE. We will miss his gentleness, his unfailing sense of humor, his love of reading and going on walks together. We love you. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Doctors Without Borders..."
(http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=michel-berthier&pid=146843283)

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● "Au Centre hospitalier de Granby, le 23 mai 2011, à l'âge de 79 ans, est décédé M. Francis Progneaux ('51), époux de Mme Barbara Bigler, demeurant à St-Joachim de Shefford. Il laisse dans le deuil outre son épouse Barbara, ses enfants : Christine (Denis), Annick (Floyd), Claude, ses petits-enfants ainsi que ses autres parents et amis."
(http://granby.enregion.ca/index.asp?s=necrologie&edition=5/31/2011)



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Alec Wildenstein (’57) "co-owner of a prominent racing stable with his brother, Guy Wildenstein (’63) , died Feb. 18, 2008 in Paris after a long illness, according to Paris Turf. He was 67. Wildenstein, whose late father, Daniel, also was a major breeder/owner, was born in Marseille in 1940 and was known as a reserved, yet affable character. Like his father, he was passionate about both art and racing.
Having lived somewhat in the shadow of his father for many years, [he] came to run the family racing and breeding empire--the Ecurie Wildenstein and Dayton Investments. Together, the family won every French classic in the flat, jump, and trotting disciplines, although since 2002, the Wildenstein stable had invested considerably less than in previous years........
From 2002 to 2005, Alec Wildenstein experienced a number of racing highlights with horses running in the famous dark blue jacket and light blue cap. Bright Sky won the Prix de Diane Hermes (Fr-I) and the Prix de l’Opera (Fr-I). Aquarelliste took the Prix Ganay (Fr-I). Westerner amassed several group I wins for stayers both domestically and abroad, and Vallee Enchantee won the Hong Kong Vase (HK-I)......Under Wildenstein's management, the stable won over €15 million (about $22 million) with flat and jump horses and over €5 million (about $7.3 million) with trotters.......In total, the stable owns over 200 racehorses and breeding stock. Wildenstein's part of the business will be passed on to his son, Alec Jr. (’97), and daughter, Diane (’96). (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/43703/french-owner-alec-wildenstein-dead)


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● Vittorio Plaja ('60) nous écrit: "J'ai la douleur de vous faire part du décès de mon frère Umberto Plaja ('59) cette nuit (22 août, 2012) a cinq heures du matin à Rome, à cause d'un cancer du pancréas, découvert il y a cinq mois."



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Patrick Desplanque ('64) (born August 24, 1946) passed away on January 28, 2011. He was a resident of Marietta, Georgia. His classmate Scott Helt ('65) left this message in the guest book of DignityMemorial.com: "Patrick was my friend & brother for more than half a century. We connected and reconnected many times over the years. I will always treasure the times we spent together as kids, teenagers, young adults, forty-somethings and into our senior years. The world is a better place for Patrick having lived among us, and we will miss him sorely. Patty and I will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Our memories of Patrick will live on for the rest of our lives."
(http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/DignityMemorial/guestbook.aspx?n=patrick-desplanque&pid=148246772)


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● Sherry Morse ('70) in formed us that Lynn (Johnson) Goulandris ('66) passed away several years ago.

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Jody (Johnson) Rutherfurd ('68): "RUTHERFURD--Jody J. On March 22, 2012. Loving wife of Morton; adoring mother of Oliver, Nicholas, Victoria and Marina; doting grandmother of Henry and Sophie; devoted sister of Lynn and Bee. Memorial service will be at St. Thomas More Church on March 27 at 3:00pm."
(http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=156652435#fbLoggedOut)
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François d'Anethan (’72) "co-founder and dean of the business school United Business Institutes in Brussels.....passed away on Monday, March 21, 2011 after a long and exhausting illness.....Mr. d'Anethan will be remembered as a communicative and pleasant person, full of life and positive energy. We treasure in our permanent memory his inspiring and impressive speech to our graduates at the ceremonious commencement in 2008 at the Croatian National Theatre."
(http://www.vern.hr/english/tiskani-mediji-o-nama/franois-danethan-dean-at-ubi-passed-away)

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Laurence (Loewy) Hagerman ('72) "the daughter of famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy, died Wednesday [October 15, 2008] at her home in Marietta, Georgia. She was 55. Born in New York and raised in NY, Paris and Los Angeles, she attended the Lycée Français in New York, Foxcroft High School in Virginia and the University of Southern California.
Loewy's professional career included work in television production and journalism. During the 80's she was a writer/producer on numerous projects for Alan Landsburg Productions, Group W and Directions International. As a journalist, Loewy worked at the L.A. bureau of the Associated Press, where she was recognized by AP World for her submission chronicling the 1984 Summer Olympics. She was a reporter for Glendale News Press in Southern California and became City Editor for Ingersoll Publications, winning numerous awards for reporting, deadline writing, editing and layout.
Retiring in 1990 to raise her son, Loewy became the clearing house for Ramyond Loewy's estate. In 1995 she established Loewy Design, LLC to promote the legacy of Raymond Loewy as well as the aesthetics and philosophy he subscribed to. She served on the board of Raymond Loewy Foundation from 2000-05. One of her most significant accomplishments was the establishment of a traveling exhibition entitled "Raymond Loewy: Design for Consumer Culture," which has been featured in museums across the country since 2002......Loewy is survived by her husband, David Hagerman and her son Jacque Loewy, and step-daughter, Catherine Hagerman."
(http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=laurence-loewy&pid=119006906&fhid=4912)
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● Elisabeth LeBris ('72) told us that her classmate Jamie (Stanforth) Shoemaker ('72) passed away. Elisabeth said: "Jamie and I were very close friends starting in 9eme until her untimely death....She was a wonderful unique person and she is still missed very much."
Jamie’s husband, the Rev. Adam Shoemaker, wrote that Jamie "died of leukemia in November of 2000 at the age of 46.....My mother spoke fluent French thanks to her years at the Lycée. Natives to France would always be impressed by how good her accent sounded. She is sorely missed.”
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Sharon Lissauer ('76) passed away in June 2012. Her classmates posted these eulogies and remembrances on the Facebook group page "LFNY ALUMS":

Fadhima Thiam ('76): "To my classmates and friends of the Lycée, the entire community of the class of 1976, we are grieving in distressing shock and deep sorrow the passing of a very special person: our classmate and friend, Sharon Lissauer. Sharon Khan ('76) who was very close to her, Deborah Grief ('76) whom I haven't seen since '76, and I were at the funeral in Paramus, NJ, on Thursday. It was a sober service to the memory of a generous and delicate human being. Her sudden and tragic death has confounded and profoundly saddened her family and friends.
The Sharon I knew was never shy from a big beautiful and warm smile. She had this affecting presence, and friendly sensibility that emotionally connected every one around her. Sharon Kahn said it best: 'There's no doubt that Sharon was this singular and unforgettable character. For many of us a big presence during our school years, and for quite a few, an enduring friend.' We pray that she rests in peace."

Daniele Erville ('76): "I will miss her. I spoke with her last time I was in New York about a year ago, and had tried reaching her about 10 days before her passing. She was an enduring friend with a warm heart. Goodbye my friend. You will never be forgotten."

Jean-Claude Chaouloff ('75): "I am very very sad to hear of Sharon's passing. I spoke to her back in March and knew she wasn't feeling well and was hoping to have lunch with her once she felt better. A radiant smile and a beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Sharon”

Beatrice Gassier ('76): "Aujourd'hui tu es partie, j'espère que reposes en paix, lovely Sharon, et que tes proches reçoivent toute ma compassion."
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● Steve Siegel (’87) informed us that his brother Philip Siegel (’80) “passed on April 1, 2012 of heart failure. He loved to laugh and be a goof, draw and paint, listen to music, tinker and repair, sail and swim, ride his bike and spend time with his friends and family. His memorial was on May 19 which would have been his fiftieth birthday. It took place at FIAF (French Institute/Alliance Française) where Stefanie, my mother, still teaches. Philip will be greatly missed by his family who loved him very much: Stefanie, his mother; Milka, his aunt; and me, Steve, his brother.......His Lycée years were amongst his happiest.”

Steve also posted "a slideshow of some happier moments with Philip" at Flickr here (or, click on link below): http://www.flickr.com/photos/philipsiegel/sets/72157629840766486/

Philip's classmates posted these eulogies and remembrances on the Facebook group page "LFNY ALUMS" or in emails to Steve:

Eve Greenwood ('80): “Steve, I am so saddened to learn this news....Thanks for sharing it with the LFNY community. I will always remember your brother’s good-natured laugh during our years at the Lycée. Sending you and your mom all my heartfelt condolences......"

Alessandra (Kelmans) de Bozzo ('81): "I am at a loss of words to express how deeply hurt and sorry I am for you. I remember Philip so fondly from my early years at the Lycee. He made us all laugh. I also have so many wonderful memories of your mother as she was my teacher. I send you both my sincerest condolences."

Constantin Megalokonomos ('80): "Very, very sad. I haven't seen him since 1975 but it is sad and painful. We lost an old friend - a nice, happy and funny classmate. My deep condolences to Philippe's family and loved ones."

Robert Preston ('79): "It's news like this that makes us pause, even if briefly, in our very busy lives to reflect on what we have, most importantly health and/or the need to renew efforts to maintain it, as well as family, friends and the hope, God willing, that we'll wake up to another day. I didn't know Philip well, as he was in my sister Vivian's class. But I do recall him at either the SkiFrance winter trips or Camp Normandie summer camp or both. Even with my limited contact with him, his happy-go-lucky jokester personality immediately came to mind when I read his name this many years later. My sympathies to the Family."

Janet (Ambrosi) Wertman ('80): "Oh my! We are dropping like flies. I remember Philip well and will miss him even though I haven't seen him for some 30 years . If anyone is able to attend the memorial, please pass on my deepest condolences to his mom (not that I don't want to send them to his brother, it's just that I knew Mme. Siegel!)"

Tatiana Nekrassoff-Ceccatto ('79): "I am so sorry to hear the sad news. My condolences to his family."

Hillary Ray ('80): "This is such sad news. I've just logged on and read this. I remember Philip well, and of course his mother, who was one of my teachers. It is definitely reason to pause and reflect on this loss, and as Robert wrote, on gratitude for still being here for the moment."

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● Nicolas Meltzer ('87) informed us that his brother Marc Meltzer ('88) "passed away on 12/12/12 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was a kind, gentle, and generous soul with a passion for art. He is survived by his parents, his brother Nicolas, and his nieces Isabelle and Sophie. He also left behind a special group of friends that looked after him during a difficult period at the end of his life."

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Patrick Karorero ('07) lost his life on June 3, 2008. His classmate Mehdi Kourichi ('07) sent us this message:
"Patrick mon ami, J'ai appris un peu tard comme tout le monde. Je t’écris à toi. Tu étais un bon gars -- je me souviens de toutes les poses cafés à se chambrer sans arrêt. Voila un petit mot pour toi mon ami pour que ta mémoire ne soit pas oubliée. Tu m'as appris l’humilité, tu étais un homme bien, un garçon simple et pondéré. Je pense que tu as hérité pleinement de tes valeurs africaines, et je te souhaite le plus grand repos la haut, mon pote, et que ta mémoire soit respectée. C’est toujours les meilleurs qui partent les premiers. Tu avais un grand cœur, et j'aurais aimé te dire au revoir. Repose en paix mon ami. Paix a ton âme,
Qu'on ne t'oublie pas, Je t'aime mon pote"

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TOP: Mme Marie-Nicole Turot; BOTTOM: Mme Claudette Kuffer
TOP: Mme Marie-Nicole Turot; BOTTOM: Mme Claudette Kuffer

Jacques Habert
Jacques Habert
Gisèle (Van Berchem) de Marignac (’44)  [recently, and in 1949, with her husband Denis de Marignac]
Gisèle (Van Berchem) de Marignac (’44) [recently, and in 1949, with her husband Denis de Marignac]
Dr. Marianne Schwob Ferrara ( '50)
Dr. Marianne Schwob Ferrara ( '50)
Francis Progneaux ('51)
Francis Progneaux ('51)
Alec Wildenstein ('57)
Alec Wildenstein ('57)
TOP: H.E. Umberto Plaja ('59); BOTTOM: Patrick Desplanque ('64)
TOP: H.E. Umberto Plaja ('59); BOTTOM: Patrick Desplanque ('64)
TOP François d'Anethan (’72): BOTTOM: Laurence (Loewy) Hagerman  ('72)
TOP François d'Anethan (’72): BOTTOM: Laurence (Loewy) Hagerman ('72)
Sharon Lissauer ('76)
Sharon Lissauer ('76)
TOP: Philip Siegel ('80); BOTTOM: Marc Meltzer('88)
TOP: Philip Siegel ('80); BOTTOM: Marc Meltzer('88)